Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin this week shared a playlist on social media with followers, and also some comments that didn’t go down well with others.
Offering his “Mayoral Mixtape: Spring Break Edition,” Woodfin offered a 30-song selection on Spotify that includes songs by Beyoncé, Pharrell Williams, Usher, Justin Timberlake, Outkast, Teena Marie and Will Smith, along others.
“Spring Break is here, and so is the dope music,” Woodfin wrote. “Let us set your week off right.”
But Woodfin responded to one comment, setting off others.
An Instagram user, courtneywalkertxranger, commented: “Instead of posting a mixtape after berating Birmingham families, maybe consider discounted or free access to local movie theaters, YMCA, McWane to help these kids have fun in nurturing environments.”
Woodfin responded, “Nawl…I’m good”
The replies to Woodfin’s comment ranged from “?????” to “such an embarassing (sic) response” to “what a disgusting reply.”
Efforts to contact the city for comment were not immediately successful.
exchleicher replied, “that’s your response to concerned citizens asking why you are not doing more to help those in need…it’s your literal job! You’re a MAYOR not a rapper, get it together man.”
actually_ashley__ chimed in, “what an unprofessional, disappointing response from ‘leadership.’”
“damn exposed yourself,” wrote thezachmeister.
georgiemcdaniel wrote, “you could’ve just not replied instead of this but”
“good at what?” wrote sawyerklein. “Because clearly it’s not caring about the health and wellbeing of your constituents…or it seems like having any empathy.”
“imagine a constituent talking to the mayor in real life with ideas and him just saying ‘nawl I’m good’ like hello do you know what your job is” wrote clairefinney.
lesliesmukler wrote “I’ve really enjoyed you as Mayor, but being one of the most dangerous cities in the United States ought to be your primary focus.”
The mixtape got better marks on Facebook, with one listener calling Woodfin #TheCoolestMayor Ever.
Woodfin spoke out last month after the death of his nephew, 17-year-old Ralph “Li Ralph” Woodfin, who was shot dead in Tarrant in 2017.
“This level of loss is distressing, unacceptable and cannot – must not – be tolerated,” he said.